The sun hung low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the city streets as Lleyn continued his morning run. His breath came in steady rhythm, and sweat glistened on his brow. He had set out early, determined to tackle the second part of his quest—going beyond his physical limits.
As he rounded a corner, Lleyn's thoughts drifted back to his meeting with Chris the previous evening. They had sat at a corner table in their favorite café, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air.
Emily, the waitress who had a friendly rapport with both of them, had approached their table with a warm smile. "The usual for you gentlemen?"
Lleyn nodded appreciatively. "Yes, Emily, thank you."
After Emily had taken their orders, Chris leaned in, his voice lowered to a conspiratorial tone. "Alright, Lleyn, spill the beans. What's with all the secrecy? You sounded urgent on the phone."
Lleyn hesitated, trying to find the right words. He couldn't reveal the truth about his journey to Eldoria, the Diamond Reward Box, or the impending tutorial. Instead, he had to tread carefully, revealing just enough to make Chris believe he had a tip for a potentially lucrative bet.
"Chris, I've got a lead on something big," Lleyn began. "I can't go into details, but I've received a tip about soccer matches. The source is reliable, and I want to place a bet."
Chris leaned back, studying his friend's expression. "A tip, huh? That doesn't sound like you, Lleyn. You've never been much into soccer betting. Are you sure you would not rather do our horse racing bets? There is this race I am confident in.."
Lleyn gave a tight-lipped smile, feigning confidence. "I know it's unusual, but trust me on this. I've got a good feeling about it. I'm putting all my money, two hundred dollars, on the correct score for tonight's match. If I win, I'll have a substantial sum to work with."
Chris raised an eyebrow, still clearly skeptical. "And why not do it yourself?"
Lleyn's gaze held steady as he tried to convey the gravity of the situation without giving too much away. "Chris, it's important. There's something I need to take care of, but this is also important. Please, just trust me on this."
His friend studied him for a moment longer before relenting with a nod. "Alright, Lleyn, you can trust me."
Lleyn breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that he couldn't reveal more for now. "Thank you, Chris. And if this works out, it'll not only benefit me but also help us both in the long run."
With that, their conversation had shifted to lighter topics, and they had enjoyed the rest of their evening. Lleyn had left the café with a sense of determination, knowing that the bet was a crucial step in his preparations.
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Lleyn stood in the abandoned building he had chosen as his makeshift training area. The crumbling walls and shattered windows were a stark contrast to the bustling city streets half an hour away. This place held a sense of desolation, a silent echo of past neglect.
The sun's fading light filtered through the broken windows, casting irregular patterns on the dusty floor. With determination etched across his face, Lleyn was ready to tackle the second part of his quest: going beyond his physical limits.
Drawing inspiration from the training he went through in the tutorial before, he embarked on a rigorous training regimen. He knew that to increase his attributes, he had to push himself to the brink and then push even further. It was a test of willpower and endurance, and Lleyn was determined to succeed.
He started with a set of push-ups, his muscles straining as he lowered and raised his body. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he pushed through the pain. With each repetition, he felt his strength building, his body adapting to the challenge.
Next, he moved on to squats, the burn in his thighs and calves intensifying with every descent and rise. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his heart pounded in his chest. But he refused to give in. He envisioned the rewards that awaited him: the gold, and the stat points.
Lleyn transitioned into a series of high-intensity interval exercises. He sprinted back and forth in the dimly lit space, his legs pumping with all the power he could muster. It was as if he were racing against time itself. The world blurred around him as he pushed his agility to the limit.
As the hours passed, Lleyn's body screamed in protest. He had gone beyond the point of exhaustion, but he couldn't stop now. He had faced monsters and challenges in the tutorial, and this was no different. He tapped into his experience, recalling the times when he had fought against formidable foes, and persevered through dire situations.
With renewed determination, he continued his training. He performed pull-ups, feeling the strain in his arms and back. He executed a series of explosive jumps, testing his stamina and agility. He even tried to incorporate some martial arts moves, but his stats and muscle failed to support him.
Finally, Lleyn collapsed to the ground, his body drenched in sweat, his muscles trembling with fatigue. He had gone beyond his physical limits, pushed himself to the edge and then a little further. It had been a grueling few hours, but it was a testament to his commitment and his desire to become a hero.
QUEST UPDATED*
A Hero's Journey (1)
Clear your mind for 6 hours a day (0/7)
Go beyond your physical limits once a day (1/7)
As he lay there, catching his breath, he couldn't help but smile. He was one step closer to completing his quest, and he had proven to himself that he had the strength to endure. It was a lesson he had learned from the countless fights he had been—a lesson that had now become a part of his own journey.
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Lleyn returned home, his muscles still aching from the intense training session. The scent of dinner wafted through the house, and he realized just how ravenous he was. He quickly washed up and joined his family at the dinner table, the warmth of their company soothing his tired body.
While they shared a simple meal, Lleyn's thoughts occasionally drifted to the upcoming soccer matches. The potential winnings from his bets could go a long way in helping his family, and he couldn't afford to pass up such an opportunity.
After dinner, Lleyn retired to his room and waited for the appointed time. Soon, his phone buzzed with an incoming call, and he eagerly answered it.
"Chris!" Lleyn greeted, excitement evident in his voice.
"Hey, Lleyn! You won't believe this!" Chris's voice crackled with excitement. "I placed the bets you told me about, and it was spot on! Your $200 turned into a whopping $7500! Can you believe it?"
Lleyn couldn't help but grin. The thrill of their successful bet was contagious. "That's incredible, Chris. I knew our luck would come through."
Chris's tone turned more serious, and he asked, "Hey, Lleyn, just one thing... Are you sure about this? I mean, we're dealing with a lot of money here. Is everything on the up and up? No shady business? You didn't get the tip from dangerous people?"
Lleyn appreciated Chris's concern. "Don't worry, Chris. I've done my homework. These matches are as legitimate as they come. I've got a good feeling about this, and we'll make sure to stay safe. Let's meet up tomorrow, and I'll have more matches lined up."
Chris audibly sighed in relief. "Alright, that's good to hear. I trust your judgment, buddy. We'll make the most of this opportunity."
Lleyn agreed, "Sounds like a plan, Chris. Tomorrow it is. We're going to turn this into something amazing."
With that, they said their goodbyes, and Lleyn couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration. Their newfound windfall had opened up a world of possibilities, not only for himself but for his family as well. The thought of providing for them and ensuring their well-being drove him to make the most of this opportunity.
As he hung up the phone, Lleyn knew that his journey was taking an unexpected turn. The path to becoming the strongest was filled with twists and challenges, and he was determined to navigate them all, armed with newfound strength and a newfound resolve.
The night was far from silent as Lleyn retreated to his room for meditation. Outside, the city's life continued to hum with activity. Cars passed by, their engines a constant rumble, and the distant sounds of people going about their business seeped through the windows. But Lleyn remained undeterred, his determination unwavering.
He found a comfortable position, sitting cross-legged on his bed, and closed his eyes. He began to focus on his breath, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly, trying to block out the cacophony of the outside world.
Minutes turned into hours, and Lleyn persisted in his meditation, determined to clear his mind for the required six hours. He delved deep into his thoughts, pushing away distractions and diving into the realm of pure consciousness.
After what felt like an eternity, Lleyn's efforts began to bear fruit. He entered a trance-like state, a mental sanctuary where the external world's noise and chaos faded into obscurity. It was a place of inner calm and serenity, where he felt completely in tune with himself and his surroundings.
In this state, Lleyn lost all sense of time. He journeyed through the recesses of his mind, reflecting on his past experiences, his family, and his newfound journey as a hero. It was a time of self-discovery and introspection.
When Lleyn finally emerged from his meditative trance, it was already morning. The first rays of the sun peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow in the room. He opened his eyes, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated in a way he hadn't experienced before, although the strong stench coming from his body made him somewhat uncomfortable.
A system message appeared before him, its glowing text illuminating his room.
Body Cleansed: 5% of impurities removed.
All Stats +1
Lleyn couldn't help but smile at the notification. His dedication to clearing his mind had not only unlocked a new level of concentration but had also resulted in a significant improvement in his physical attributes. It was as if a layer of impurities had been lifted from his body, leaving him feeling stronger and more capable.
But there was more to the revelation. As he examined his status screen, he noticed a new addition:
Passive Skill: Clarity
Description: Increases the acquisition rate of skill experience by 20%.
And finally, the long-awaited message arrived…
QUEST UPDATED*
A Hero's Journey (1)
Clear your mind for 6 hours a day (1/7)
Go beyond your physical limits once a day (1/7)
Lleyn marveled at the newfound skill, recognizing its potential significance in his journey to become a hero. It was as if his dedication to meditation had unlocked a hidden potential within him, allowing him to learn and grow at an accelerated rate.
With a sense of newfound purpose, Lleyn knew that his quest to become a hero had taken another step forward. The challenges ahead were still daunting, but with each passing day, he was becoming stronger and more prepared to face them head-on.
Name: Lleyn
Age: 25
Level: 1
Title: Early Awakening Lv1
Strength: 11
Stamina: 13
Health: 16
Agility: 9
Magic Power: 0
Dexterity: 7
Perception: 8
Luck: 3
Skills:
Odin's Judgement (Level 1)
Lightning Infusion (Level 1)
Clarity (Passive) - Increases the acquisition rate of skill experience by 20%.
Quests:
A Hero's Journey (1)
Clear your mind for 6 hours a day (1/7)
Go beyond your physical limits once a day (1/7)
Inventory:
Gold: 0
*Early Awakening Lv1: The user will receive 5 more stat points from every level up.